Chapter 2420: Spit is Also a Blade

On the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Taixu Pavilion was packed.

This was the last Taixu Meeting of the Dao Calendar year 3929.

It had been too long since these people had gathered, and their auras were so strong that the ancient pavilion actually felt a bit crowded.

Zhong Xuan sat there slightly surprised, holding his knife-pen, inexplicably looking at these inexplicable people.

Only he and Ju Kui were required attendees at every meeting.

One enforced the rules strictly, the other recorded every field.

Of course, this was also their path of cultivation – in this sense, their cultivation was diligent.

Having reached the Cave True realm, progress was very slow, and the Dao path was long, suited for steady steps. Not everyone could be like Jiang Wang, failing on one path then taking another, one mountain higher than the last.

"Mr. Zhong, you seem to enjoy holding a dagger to stab me." Jiang Wang, sitting opposite, had a rather serious expression.

Zhong Xuan 'huffed' a breath, using his knife-pen to tap the bamboo slip, just like a kitchen knife tapping a chopping board: "The historical pen is like iron; if you do bad deeds, you will be cut by the pen-knife. Minister Jiang may be careful, don't let this old man catch any mistakes, and I will not hide anything for you."

Jiang Wang waved a big hand, very heroically: "I, Jiang, am upright and frank, there is nothing I cannot speak of openly. Mister, feel free to record it!"

"When True Monarch Jiang was first famous in Linzi, he researched Dao arts while resting his head on a beauty's thigh, even testing the sounds one by one, comparing them with the eight-sound tea, and having them evaluate it – is this also to be recorded?" Zhong Xuan asked.

There was a knowing chuckle in the field.

True Monarch Jiang's early fame had moved the world, and his old stories were inevitably dug up one by one. The girls who had been fortunate enough to be pointed out by True Monarch Jiang to serve tea and research the eight-sound flame sparrow were now all top courtesans in various halls. The details of True Monarch Jiang's stays in various halls were also repeatedly narrated.

Even so, Zhong Xuan could casually bring this up, which truly showed he had investigated thoroughly!

Was this writing history, or a personal biography?

There was reason to suspect that the voluminous nonsense, seemingly a biography but not, of the layman Ru Qing, was perhaps Zhong Xuan's pen name.

Don't look at this old boy being serious all day, studying governance and achievements, saying things like "the pen is like a thousand catties, words are not easy," perhaps he was secretly writing wild histories, and they were very wild!

"What are you laughing at?" The newly promoted True Monarch Jiang, very arrogant, swept his gaze around with his sword pressed: "See who dares to laugh!"

Li Yi was disturbed by the waves and looked at him slightly blankly.

Jiang Wang immediately said: "You excluded, I saw you didn't laugh."

Dou Zhao was most unaccustomed to such people and immediately stood up: "Grandpa Zhao laughed, what are you gonna do?!"

Jiang Wang glared at him fiercely: "Next time I'll laugh at you too!"

Everyone laughed.

Zhong Xuan, who governed historical achievements and penetrated ancient and modern times, felt quite emotional.

When Taixu Pavilion was first established, it was only to standardize the management of Taixu Illusion. It was a product of the mutual checks and balances between various forces, a division of power in Taixu affairs. In some sense, it was also an extension of the current world's power structure.

Various sides monitored each other, checked each other. This Taixu Pavilion, what was it but another world stage?

On the stage were all young people, striving for their respective forces under the rules. Verbal attacks were common, and drawing swords against each other was not infrequent.

This was merely a microcosm of the national battlefield, each pressing their swords for their interests.

World meetings, agreements between various sides, without exception.

But gradually, this place, Taixu Pavilion, seemed to have undergone some different changes.

The struggle should still be a struggle, but it was no longer that pure division of interests.

More and more, everyone here would discuss Taixu Illusion, discuss the world's common people, discuss the future of the present world, discuss right and wrong.

Exactly why did such changes occur?

Zhong Xuan thought about this question for a long time.

Finally, he thought of the answer.

Because "on stage were all young people".

And they were all the most excellent, top-level young people from each country.

Their characters were different, their styles varied, but they had one common point - they were all strong individuals capable of controlling their lives, all had verified themselves along the way, and all had their own strong opinions.

They were not bound by past doctrines, nor were they tamed by hidden rules. Their criteria for being and doing were often based on their own awareness, not other regulations.

Usually it was "I think," not someone declaring "you should."

Living in such a rapidly changing era, Taixu Illusion pulled the distance between people so close.

They all walked up from the stone steps of "willing to be under others," all knew how Xu Yuan Zhi became Taixu Dao Master. Even if they didn't agree with Xu Yuan Zhi's ideal, they should still have some respect and some touch in their hearts!

They were all still young, all had a boiling heart, not yet numbed by worldly affairs.

And in Taixu Pavilion, there was a person like Jiang Wang, independent of all forces, constantly creating legends.

Looking up could see different things.

Even a figure as arrogant as Dou Zhao would sometimes inevitably think - how did a Jiang Wang do it? Why is Jiang Wang like this?

The expansion of Taixu Illusion, the opening of the "Taixu Profound Chapter," accelerated the production of changes.

The subtle changes within this Taixu Pavilion were particularly evident in the great water control meeting.

That day on Guan He Terrace, they successively stood up in the back row, expressing to this world that they recognized the future - a future where our generation sincerely knew the world had shortcomings, and also had aspirations!

After that day, the interactions between Taixu Cabinet members had an indescribable change.

It was as if, in some sense, they became side-by-side comrades, not only on the battlefield against foreign races.

Several geniuses from different places, with different growth experiences, got along in Taixu Pavilion, influenced each other, and had some similar expectations for the future.

That kind of feeling was probably still unclear, and never spoken out.

But perhaps it could be called... ideal.

At least it was the prototype of an ideal!

Zhong Xuan's emotion was quickly shattered.

Because the standing Dou Zhao conveniently started to speak: "Rarely is everyone so complete today, let's not waste time, I'll say a few sentences..."

Qin Zhi Zhen, after realizing, laughed.

Dou Zhao suddenly turned his head: "Is that so funny? Not convinced? Practice?"

Qin Zhi Zhen rubbed the ground and stood up.

Arguably he was a bit slow in argument, but whether to fight or not, he reacted very quickly.

Taixu Pavilion instantly became filled with knife qi, interweaving vertically and horizontally without end.

Zhong Xuan held his knife-pen, erasing these knife qi stroke by stroke, only feeling a hot, spicy pain on his face.

To rely on these yellow-mouthed kids who would fight at the drop of a hat to realize a so-called ideal, how naive was he?

On that side, Jiang Wang went to stop Dou Zhao, Huang She Li went to stop Qin Zhi Zhen, and they finally managed to stop the fight with great difficulty.

Zhong Xuan sat there respectfully, smiling and watching.

Li Yi was lost in thought.

Cang Ming seemed not to exist.

Ju Kui was still preparing to judge the winner and loser with cold indifference!

"He wasn't laughing at you! He was laughing at me!" Jiang Wang glared around, then turned back to advise: "Brother Dou, calm down. Everyone is our own people, if you have anything to say, please speak, we will listen with respect."

Dou Zhao pulled for half a day and couldn't pull out his knife, further strengthening his determination to derive the Dao as soon as possible. He angrily glared at Jiang Wang: "Let go of my hand!"

Jiang Wang advised him smoothly, let go of the hand pressing Tian Xiao's handle, and even raised both hands to show harmlessness: "Minister Dou, please speak for the world!"

"There's nothing much to say," Dou Zhao lost interest in pulling out his knife and said quite unsmoothly: "It's just targeting the water race side. Since we already made a stance on Guan He Terrace, and various sides also have a certain degree of consensus, then some things should be pushed forward - like opening Taixu Illusion to the water race, can't a few of us make the decision?

Waiting for those old sly old fellows to grind out some result is too complicated, and we still don't know what variables there will be. My words are action, saliva is also counted as a knife, I can't wait that long!"

Jiang Wang raised his hands in surrender, and thus together, clapped very loudly: "Humans and water races are one family, Taixu Illusion naturally should not exclude them. Minister Dou has thought thoroughly, seen clearly the myriad things, truly a model for our generation, I fully agree with Minister Dou's viewpoint!"

With Taixu Illusion's current influence, once fully opened to the water race, it would be a thousand times ten thousand times more useful than them shouting until they were hoarse here. The ancient alliance could then be clearly remembered, the concept of humans and water races being one family would then deeply enter hearts. Above the present world's torrent, there would truly be a ferry for the water race.

Generally carbon-free, Huang She Li, who was like water, said carelessly: "I always regard humans and water races as being the same as sugar classes (starch etc.), in my palace--"

She paused, then changed her words: "In short, there's no problem in Huanglong Prefecture, all water races within the borders can participate in Taixu Illusion. I said it counts."

Add soil to inorganic Cang Ming was silent for half a day, then said: "There are not many water races on the grassland that are fertilizer for its growth."

He added: "Divine light illuminates all, grass, wood, cattle, and sheep are not partial, humans and water races should also have no division."

Zhong Xuan sat respectfully and smiled slightly: "Actually, there's nothing to consider. The vision of Taixu Illusion is to promote the human Dao torrent, support the present world, and ideally become the foundation of this world, become an existence like air, water, and land. Will air, water, and land distinguish between humans and water races?

I completely agree to let the water race open Taixu Illusion."

Zhong Xuan carefully chose his words and said cautiously: "Taixu Illusion has never excluded the water race, only the quotas have always been limited. It's just in the stage of gradual expansion, and has not yet been expanded to the water race side alone - of course, since everyone agrees, I feel this matter can also accelerate its progress."

He added: "This matter does not need to be written in explicit text, we just do it ourselves."

Taixu Cabinet members have very strong autonomous rights.

But writing in explicit text means this is a matter that needs public discussion, to be recorded as an "official matter" of Taixu Illusion, and everyone must respect the opinions of the forces behind them.

Taixu Illusion has not been open to the water race until now, and there have never actually been explicit regulations prohibiting it, only hidden rules that continued from the Taixu Sect period - perhaps not wanting to be too radical, or foreseeing resistance, or perhaps originally not considering the water race, in short, during Xu Yuan Zhi's period, Taixu Illusion was not open to the water race.

When Xu Yuan Zhi became Taixu Dao Master, Taixu Pavilion took over Taixu Illusion, and this kind of hidden rule also continued.

Now, the young Taixu Cabinet members want to open Taixu Illusion to the water race, just as Zhong Xuan said, "it's just that Taixu Illusion's quotas are being expanded to this," there is nothing to blame.

This is not a challenge to the present world order, but the natural development of Taixu Illusion.

Dou Zhao was too lazy to listen to these official words: "The Taixu Corner Towers in Xiang River and Yun Meng Marsh, I'll build them. You yourselves figure out the rest!"

He lifted his foot and left.

After Dou Zhao left, his seat was empty, and Qin Zhi Zhen said: "That surnamed Dou's words weren't all nonsense. There's no reason to do things halfway. The great water control meeting established the same rights and equal laws for humans and water races, Taixu Illusion should not have distinctions. The water mansions within Qin's borders will be where I lay the Taixu Corner Towers. I won't be slower than him."

Jiang Wang said naturally: "I will be responsible for supervising the construction of Taixu Corner Towers in Long River. Long River has nine towns, so we'll build nine Corner Towers first."

Huang She Li turned her head in surprise, Jiang Wang's boldness in wealth made her wonder: "Is the restaurant business in Bai Yu Capital that good?"

"The goods in Bai Yu Capital restaurants are true and the prices are real, the profits are thin, they don't make money at all. I said supervise the construction." Jiang Wang emphasized seriously: "The water race's Taixu Corner Towers, of course, the water race themselves will pay for them.

General Manager Fu always has some savings. I'll just play a supervisory role."

"That's how it should be." Ju Kui said dryly: "The conditions for participation in Taixu Illusion are consistent across all sides, and the Taixu iron laws are also the same, without partiality."

Huang She Li blinked her black, slippery eyes: "There's a very big water mansion on the side of Qinghai Guard, I'll go persuade Jiang Zhao Yuan later."

Raising the status of the water race, in Jing country, it was actually the most difficult to say. Huang She Li was being very generous, truly making a considerable determination. Ao Shu Yi's death affected too many people.

Li Yi thought for a moment: "I'll have people do it."

He paused, then said: "Is the meeting over?"

"Wait!" Ju Kui hurriedly stopped him: "The assessment illusion for the Hear Dao Heavenly Palace, I have already finished designing it. Please, various cabinet members, take some time to check it, lest there be any deficiencies!"

After today, who knew when he could gather this many people again.

Just now, Dou Zhao had already run off!

Fu Yun Qin didn't just have "some savings"?

After Ao Shu Yi passed away, the entire Long River Dragon Palace was inherited by him.

Although the Dragon Palace had already been looted once by various sides, the old hands who had been in this way in the six countries for a long time would scrape it clean. But the wealth accumulated by the Long River water races from the Middle Ancient era down was not all in the Dragon Palace.

Fu Yun Qin being able to live until now, it was hard to say that there weren't reasons in this regard.

An empty Long River Dragon Palace was still given to him, and he didn't even decorate it, just lived in it empty.

When Jiang Wang mentioned building underwater Corner Towers in Long River, he only gave Jiang Wang a "wait" look - and when he reappeared in front of Jiang Wang, all ten fingers were full of storage rings, his arms were also set with storage bracelets, and there were several circles of storage necklaces around his neck.

These ancient storage tools were all filled with yuan stones.

Simple, plain, without decoration.

"Is this enough?" Fu Yun Qin unfolded a long scroll and asked with words.

Although he had escaped death, his injuries were slowly recovering, but he still couldn't open his mouth to speak.

This was actually not a smart choice.

This represented that he still remembered the pain of being suspended and having his tongue cut by Ying Jiang Hong, remembering the times when he didn't deserve to speak. It was easy for those with intentions to make an issue of it.

But he insisted on this, and Jiang Wang did not interfere with his choice.

When Ying Jiang Hong was informed of this matter, he only said one sentence - "He should remember."

"More than enough." Jiang Wang directly took out a list of materials and handed it to Fu Yun Qin: "General Manager, supervise the construction of the underwater Corner Towers according to this list."

The "great water control meeting" that ended not long ago also established one thing, which was the continuation of the "Yellow River Meeting."

Although the Dragon Monarch was dead, the field of Dao Calendar 3919 was not an absolute end. This grand meeting for selecting talents would still continue. The human Dao would prosper and would not stop for anyone.

Fu Yun Qin's position as the Yellow River Grand General Manager was still retained. He would, along with True Person Qiu Tie of Jing, True Person Dong Fang Shi of Wei, and Dean Yao Fu of Long Men Book Academy, survey the Yellow River during the flood season.

The elevation of Wei's national power was embodied intuitively in every aspect. Dong Fang Shi being able to get this task meant he would be able to show his face at every future Yellow River Meeting, and this trip was also considered complete.

And the referee for the next Yellow River Meeting, as discussed by various sides, was precisely the person standing in Long River Dragon Palace at this moment - Zhen He True Monarch, Jiang Wang.

After he took control of Long River in Tian Hai, many people at the time used the name "Zhen He" for him, commemorating his achievements. This was also considered his first "name" after proving his Dao to the absolute peak.

Even those who didn't like this True Monarch would absolutely not doubt his fairness as the Yellow River referee.

Fu Yun Qin took over the list of materials. He thought for a moment, then wrote on the long scroll - "The Dragon Monarch is dead, I, Fu, have no shame to remain, I will find another residence, guarding the palace front. Please, True Monarch Jiang, grant me a character."

He erased the words on the long scroll, unfolded it very properly with both hands, presenting it in front of Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang originally didn't feel he was qualified to leave any ink treasures, but Fu Yun Qin's eyes were truly sincere.

How could he refuse such earnestness?

He thought again of what Dou Zhao had said, saliva also counted as a knife.

Finally, he picked up a brush and wrote one character, truly acknowledging it.

The characters said - "Southerners and northerners are in different lands, Qi people and Chu people are in different countries. Humans and water races, reside differently."